I Crashed The Web

Where have the past three months gone? Somehow, I’m only two weeks away from Cleveland Marathon Race Weekend! That’s right, I can see the weekend in my 10-day forecast – but refuse to truly look at it because we all know how quickly the weather can change.

In looking back over the past few months of training, I know it wasn’t my best training cycle. I started off with an injury and didn’t start training until later than usual. Because of this, I didn’t do any speed workouts either, as in the beginning I was focused on just getting some slow miles in and testing out my hip … now I have no excuse except for the fact that I just didn’t get any speed in the beginning so I created a modified training plan that didn’t include any speed workouts. I’m about to travel for work, which is less than ideal for a few days before my race, because I’ll be wearing heels for the first time in a year (perhaps since the last work trip), staying up late, on my feet a lot, not drinking nearly enough water, and not getting much sleep.

So my goals in two weeks for race weekend are mainly TO HAVE FUN and FINISH STRONG. I plan on doing the 5K on Saturday and half marathon on Sunday to complete the “Challenge Series.” I will work at the Marathon Expo Friday afternoon and attend the pre-race banquet Friday night. I know it will be a fun weekend, and I just need to remember to enjoy every minute!

And now, here is what this week looked like for training. It was pretty good – a longer run, a few shorter runs, and even some cross training.

Sunday: 11.07 miles running outside. It was 60 degrees when I ran outside Sunday, so I’m glad that I got out to run. I typically do long runs on weekday mornings before the sun comes up, which means running at 40-50 degrees max and no sun. This means that race day I’m usually dying and not used to the heat. I’m not saying that one day of running in 60 degrees will help get me acclimated, but I will say it was a reminder of how hot 60 degrees feels to me. I was glad to have gotten in that many miles, and feeling good most of the time.

Monday: 5.03 miles outside plus core workout and 2.55 miles walking. I had an early day at work, so I didn’t get in a pre-work walk even though it was gorgeous out! Thankfully I was able to get in a walk at lunchtime, plus a walk with the family at night, which gave me me walking for the day.

Tuesday: 5.28 miles running, core workout and 1 mile walk. It was another early day (it’s my busy season!) but I was able to sneak in a short walk in the afternoon before heading back to work.

Wednesday: cross-training day! 45 minute bike, core workout, hip exercises, light arm workout, 4.72 miles walking. I wanted to take a day off from running to make sure my body was feeling okay (it was a little more tired than it should have been on Tuesday), so I got in an easy indoor bike ride and some cross training. It was gorgeous out so I had time to get in 2 walks during the day, one before work and one during lunch.

Thursday: 8 miles running, 3.5 mi walking. I once again wanted to get in a mid-week longerish run and had 8 miles on the schedule. It 50 degrees, a magical temperature for running. I don’t know why, but I felt uneasy during the run, wary of every single car that passed me (which isn’t a lot when I run so early). It was fun, and it ended up getting light out during the end of my run which hasn’t happened in a while. Summer is on its way! I later got in a stroller walk with GM and we picked up some bagels, and a short walk during the day in between meetings. That night, B and I got in a date night – we celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary with dinner AND orchestra tickets. We saw Lang Lang, who we’ve seen before, and he put on a great performance with the Cleveland Orchestra. He got such a standing ovation that he came back on and performed The Rainbow Connection, one of my favorite songs from my childhood.

Some non-running pictures – instead, photos from our date night! Wine and cheese, dinner outside, concert:

Friday: 6.2 mile run outside and then 1.82 mi walk. I don’t know how I go out of bed honestly, Friday morning. I went to bed after midnight on Thursday, so when my 4 a.m. alarm went off Friday morning I could barely move.  I snoozed for a loooong time, then made myself get out the door. It was 60 degrees, and while I was tired, after 2 miles my body felt pretty good and I decided to go for a 6 mile run. I also got in a walk with GM in the morning for bread and bagels. GM was so glad our bagel shop was back open after being closed for Passover!

Saturday: 11 miles. For the past 2 weeks I’ve done long runs on Sunday, but I had plans Saturday night and a busy Sunday (with t-storms also in the forecast), so I decided to get up early and get in my long run Saturday. This was my last double digit run of this race cycle, and this made for a HIGH MILEAGE week (since I measure Sunday-Saturday), but I felt good during most of the run! It was in the 60s and I was warm, so hopefully it won’t be any warmer on race day in a few weeks. The day was a little busy, because the second I got back from the long run, it was time to get ready to take GM to soccer, and then it was lunch and nap time and time for a bday party for FW and then I had plans for a girls night! I haven’t had a girls night in a while and it was so nice to be out to dinner. Two nights out to dinner without kids in one week? I don’t know the last time that happened!

Total miles: 46.89 miles running plus misc. on the bike and walking

Questions for you:

1. When is your next race day?
2. Do you taper before a half marathon?

I am linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.